OSTEOARTHRITIS IN 84 JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH PALMOPLANTAR PUSTULOSIS

Background: Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is often associated with ost eoarthritis. The relation between osteoarthritis in PPP and other type s of seronegative arthritis remains unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and the frequency of o steoarthritis in patients with PPP and to compare HLA antigen frequenc ies in osteoarthritis in PPP, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spon dylitis. Methods: Clinical findings were identified and HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR were determined in 84 Japanese patients with PPP. Bone scinti graphic studies were conducted for forty-one patients. Results: In add ition to the anterior aspect of the chest wall, the knee, spine, and a nkle were frequently involved. HLA-DR9 frequency was the highest in pa tients with PPP who had osteoarthritis. Conclusion: Involvement of the knees, spine, ankles, and the anterior aspect of the chest wall was n oted in patients with osteoarthritis and PPP. Osteoarthritis in PPP se ems to be a distinct entity from a genetic point of view.